This deck is all about leveraging the power of Vorel of the Hull Clade to generate an absurd number of +1/+1 counters and other types of counters, leading to explosive plays and decisive wins! We aim for the stars, or rather, infinite counters, to overwhelm our opponents or draw into our win conditions.
The Game Plan:
Our primary strategy revolves around putting counters on permanents and then using Vorel to double them, repeatedly. This scales our threats incredibly fast, turning humble creatures into titans and turning mana rocks into super-chargers.
Key Engines & Combos:
Infinite Counter Doubling: This is the core engine. Look for ways to generate infinite mana (or just a lot of it) and combine it with creatures or artifacts that can repeatedly get counters and be doubled by Vorel, or untap Vorel.
Magistrate's Scepter: With Vorel and a way to generate infinite mana, you can take infinite turns by repeatedly putting charge counters on the Scepter and doubling them.
Gilder Bairn: This little bear is an absolute all-star. With Vorel out, activating Gilder Bairn (if it has a counter) then doubling itself with Vorel creates a loop that rapidly increases its power, and can be used to untap Vorel repeatedly if you have an untap effect.
Experiment Kraj: Kraj is a powerhouse for this deck, able to copy activated abilities of creatures with counters. He can become an untap engine, a counter generator, and even a win condition himself.
Card Draw for the Win: Once we're generating infinite (or near-infinite) counters, our goal is to translate that into a win.
Fathom Mage: A key piece for drawing our deck. With infinite +1/+1 counters being placed on Fathom Mage (or any creature alongside it), you'll draw an enormous number of cards, leading us to our alternate win conditions.
Laboratory Maniac: Our primary "draw all cards" win condition. Once Fathom Mage (or other draw engines like Prime Speaker Zegana) lets us draw our entire library, Lab Man steps in for the win.
Simic Ascendancy: Another excellent "counters matter" win condition. With enough creatures accumulating counters, or one creature getting an absurd amount, Simic Ascendancy provides a potent alternate path to victory.
Notable Inclusions & Synergies:
Hardened Scales: This card is a must-have for any counter-based deck, making all our counter-generating effects even more efficient.
Master Biomancer: Drops creatures into play with extra counters, giving Vorel more to work with immediately.
Gyre Sage & Experiment One: Excellent early-game creatures that grow quickly and generate mana/power.
Thrasios, Triton Hero: A fantastic mana sink and card advantage engine, especially powerful if you have infinite mana.
Coiling Oracle, Prime Speaker Zegana, Academy Elite: Provide crucial card advantage.
Alchemist's Refuge, Minamo, School at Water's Edge: Excellent utility lands for activating abilities at instant speed or untapping Vorel/other key permanents.
Mana Vault, Sol Ring, Chromatic Lantern: Essential fast mana and color fixing.
Control & Protection: Counterspell, Krosan Grip, Simic Charm, Swiftfoot Boots, and Homeward Path help protect our vital pieces and disrupt opponents.
How to Win:
Infinite Counters + Fathom Mage + Laboratory Maniac: Generate infinite counters (often on Fathom Mage itself or a creature next to it), draw your deck with Fathom Mage, then win with Laboratory Maniac.
Infinite Counters + Simic Ascendancy: Get 200+ counters on creatures (easily achievable with infinite counter loops) and win with Simic Ascendancy.
Magistrate's Scepter + Infinite Mana: Take infinite turns and win through combat damage with your massively sized creatures, or find your other win conditions.
Massive Creatures: Simply overwhelm your opponents with creatures that have grown to colossal sizes from repeated counter doubling.
This deck is a blast to play, offering both intricate combo lines and powerful creature-based strategies. Get ready to double, double, toil and trouble, and watch your board explode with power!
